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No minimum number of attendeesNo minimum number of attendees is required for the tour
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Free booking and cancellationFree payment tour, no set price, booking and cancellation are free
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My name is Kai, I was born and raised in Germany and spent over a decade living and working in Tokyo. After many colorful years of living and learning, I feel fully integrated in Japanese society. The more I experienced and learned about this fascinating culture, the more I loved it. I know both sides of the coin, growing up in Europe and also being a part of Japanese society for so long comes in handy as a guide, since I can naturally explain common things and differences between daily life, culture, mannerisms and the way of thinking. I am fluent in Japanese, English and German. If you have any questions or need help, feel free to send me a message anytime!
Hi!
Join me on a free journey through the pulsating heart of the city: Shinjuku. Let me share with you over twelve years of experience living in the organized chaos of Tokyo. We will explore Tokyo's history from the Edo period to modernity. Temples, traditions, back alleys, underworld, futurism, we do it all. How Tokyo lives, breathes, where it comes from and where it is today.
I will tell you some behind the scenes stories that go beyond the typical tourist experience. The goal of this tour is not that you know the square meters of some buildings but to get a deep feeling and understanding of Tokyo, the Japanese culture and traditions. So you can not only see Japan. But fully experience it.
Too much to pack into one tour? Lets find out! One thing is certain, after this tour you will not walk around with that confused tourist face anymore, you will smile like a Japanese!
We will meet at the "Statue of Suica Penguin". If you arrive via Shinjuku station get out via the "New South Exit" (Not: "South Exit"). If you get lost, ask the station staff or anybody else for "Suica Penguin Square". I will be recognizable by holding up an umbrella or a stick.
I will give you a brief introduction to Tokyo's history, the founding and the backstory of the Shinjuku area.
Next we will dive deeper into the beginnings during the Samurai era, by visiting a temple from the Edo period and the story of the nine bells of time.
A few words on the most famous Japanese charms, their origin and how they weave into Japanese culture today.
A traditional theater from the early days of Tokyo's founding that is still doing shows.
A visit to the famous Hanazono shrine will make you an expert on any future shrine visit. Understand Shintoism, the practices and ring the bells to wake up some spirits.
A short walk through the tiny bars at Golden Gai. Japans quarter of musicians, artists and tiny bar counters.
Tokyo's Underworld. Yakuza, host bars, love hotels, restaurants and red light.
Skewered Salamander, Turtle Soup, pig balls and frog sashimi...
Godzilla had a pet?
Congratulations! You are now a Tokyo expert!
Free tours do not have a set price, instead, each person gives the guru at the end of the tour the amount that he or she considers appropriate (these usually range from €10 to $50 depending on satisfaction with the tour).